Secure Archive can be used to compress files into password-protected archives, as the name points out. At a first glance, it look like an ordinary archiving utility, so there is no need to spend time and get used to its controls. It provides the same kind of features as WinRAR or other similar applications, but it is focused more on data security. It supports three encryption algorithms, it can also shred files and it has other useful features to offer.

The software is offered completely free of charge, for personal and commercial use. It works on all modern Windows platforms and it is compatible with both 32 and 64-bit operating systems. Downloading and installing the utility should not take more than a minute, even on older machines, with modest hardware.

The user interface has a familiar design. Imported files are displayed in a table of contents, along with numerous details and you can perform various operations, by selecting the appropriate options on a toolbar. Files can be imported through a standard Open dialog or by dragging and dropping them over the user interface. Once they are imported, the program will bring up a series of archive configuration options automatically.

Besides specifying a storage path for your new archive, you can also create a password, choose a compression level and an encryption protocol, which can be AES, NASCCL or BlowFish. Additional options are available on a separate window and you can select them if you wish to shred the source files once the archive is created, calculate CRCs, save file attributes or perform other actions.

Apart from its enhanced security features, Secure Archive works like any other archiving utility. Imported files can be saved in a new archive. To extract its contents, you can either import the archive on the user interface or just run the archive like an executable. Of course, when you attempt to open the archive, the program will ask you for your password.

Pros: Secure Archive uses powerful encryption algorithms to protect your data. It provides support for high compression levels. Also, the software is capable of shredding data, after compressing it.

Cons: There are no obvious drawbacks to mention.

If you need to keep your files safe, Secure Archive will protect them from anyone who tries to access them.